Best Tasting Formula for Breastfed Babies

What are the best tasting formula for breastfed babies

Looking for ways to supplement your breastmilk with formula? Or do you want your baby to start taking a formula that tastes breastmilk? And you want the best-tasting formula? The right ingredients will help your baby with her growth and development. However, we will be offering you a list of the best tasting formula for breastfed babies.

But with the availability of so many different options in the market, you might find it overwhelming to make a choice that best fits your baby.

Breastfeeding being the source of nutrition for babies, might be altered due to one circumstance. This will make it unavailable sometimes, which is why many moms out there opt-in for a substitute or formula as a supplement.

But what causes the most concern is figuring out that there is a need for a supplement or formula is “the kind of formula to use!” And choosing becomes an overwhelming task.

However, this shouldn’t be a problem for you anymore as we will be looking out for the best formula that tastes like breast milk for you.

While searching for the best-tasting formula for your breastfeeding baby, you have to bear in mind that your baby could have a sensitive stomach, which can make choosing the right choice difficult.

What can happen if you do not get the right formula for such a baby? Of course, there could be an adverse reaction, but do you know that there is a perfect formula for babies with sensitivity problems? And that is SIMILAC.

It is the best brand of the healthiest formula for breastfed babies and babies with sensitivities problems; SIMILAC Alimentum is the best. 

SIMILAC is usually the recommended brand because it is wanted by many moms out there, and there has been a great review about it. Nevertheless, there are many other formula options, and with that, you can choose to go for any of them. 

Here’s a list of 10 Best Formulas Designed to Taste Like Breast Milk.

They include: 

1. Similac Pro Advance
2. Similac Sensitive
3. Enfamil NeuroPro
4. Gerber Good Start Gentle
5. HiPP Formula
6. Earth’s Best Organic
7. Happy Baby Organic
8. Enfamil Enspire
9. Enfamil Premium
10. Gerber Good Start Soothe

What to watch out look for when picking formula tasting closest to breast milk

Finding it hard to figure out the best formula with a taste like breast milk? It’s nothing to worry about because we would be brightening your day with the characteristics and ingredients that a formula similar to breast milk must contain so that it will become less stressful for you while on the search for one.

There are many criteria to look out for when picking formula tasting closest to breast milk regarding nutritional value and taste.

So here’s what you will be expected to look for when picking formula tasting closest to breast milk:

Probiotics and Prebiotics: Probiotics are good and beneficial bacteria that aid digestion, while prebiotics is the natural fibers that feed on this bacteria.

These HMOs are naturally found in breast milk for the baby’s digestion.

So having one of these additives will help your baby with immunity and aid in finding a formula similar to breast milk. 

Organic formula: It is safe and natural, and most of its types do not contain synthetic materials. 

Sweeteners: Naturally, there’s this sweet taste that breast milk naturally has, so many manufacturers use lactose as a sweetener in their formula.

Some people who cannot afford lactose would use plant-based sweeteners like maltodextrin, originating from corn, potatoes, or brown rice. Syrups like glucose or brown rice are used in some formulas as sweeteners. 

Nucleotides: These are building blocks of DNA commonly found in breast milk. They help babies with growth and build their immunity.

ARA/DHA: Naturally contained in breast milk and helps promote brain and eye development. Manufacturers’ use of hexane as a substitute is frowned upon by parents because they feel it is unsafe for their babies. However, there hasn’t been any proof of hexane being harmful.

Vitamins and minerals: To grow strong teeth and bones and robust growth, these are essential.

Taurine/Lutein/Choline/Lycopene: To meet the nutritional requirements, synthetic nutrients like this come into play, of which their importance is mainly for the development of nerve cell activity, brain, eyes, and other body activities.

10 Best Formula that Tastes like Breast Milk

Below is a list containing reviews of the 10 best formula that tastes like breast milk:

1.  Similac Pro-Advance Infant Formula

Similac Pro Advance is considered to be one of the closest to breast milk due to its constituent ingredient, which is known as 2’FL HMO. It is naturally present in breast milk in a large quantity, prebiotic.

There is usually a form of a blend referred to as OptiGro by Similac, a combination of Lutein and DHA found in breast milk.

What’s more? This formula is obtained directly from cow’s milk, devoid of treatment with artificial growth hormones. It’s a nice formula for babies that makes fussy movements, gas, or spit-ups. Making a switch to this formula would reduce all those symptoms ASAP.

Ingredients

 – Vitamin E supports the healthy development of cells

-  DHA to support brain development

 – Lactose for sweetening and a source of carbohydrates

 – Lutein to support eye health

 – 2-FL HMO is an immunity supporter, and an oligosaccharide used to feed healthy gut bacteria.

Pros

• It has no unhealthy palm olein like other formulas
• No artificial sweeteners
• Appropriate for alleviating fussiness, spit-ups, and gas
• Non-GMO ingredients
• Available in the ready-to-feed form
• Its 2’FL HMO circulates throughout the body

Cons

• Very expensive

2. Similac Sensitive Infant Formula

Similac Sensitive also contains 2’FL HMO and tastes like breast milk. It is prebiotic, naturally from cows’ milk that did not undergo growth hormone treatment. It has an option that is GMO-free. Just like Pro Advance, it also contains OptiGro.

Ingredients

-  Vitamin E

 – DHA

 – 2′ FL HMO

 – Lutein

Pros

• Available in the ready-to-feed form
• The idea for lactose sensitive babies
• Great flavor and sweet

Cons

• Little bit expensive

3. Enfamil NeuroPro Baby Formula

Enfamil NeuroPro is closely similar to the Ensure formula but slightly different in composition. It contains DHA and MFGM, which assist in brain development. It is designed to provide a complete package of nutritional value for babies aged 12 months and below, conveniently bottled in a ready-to-drink bottle with a 20.7-ounce tub. This gentle formula is great for babies with tummy sensitivities, fussiness, and spit-ups, as well as for babies that are lactose intolerant.

Ingredients

 – Dual prebiotics

 – MFGM

 – Omega-3 DHA and Choline

Pros

• Provides ready-to-feed form
• No artificial sweeteners
• Easy to mix and clump-free
• Non-GMO ingredients

Cons

• A bit expensive

4. Gerber Good Start Baby Formula

Gerber is highly recommended for easy digestion, and it is designed to make breast milk have a gentle feel and comes with a complete nutritional package.

It dissolves easily, reduces excessive tummy gas, contains comfort proteins, and has a button latch meant for opening and on the inside includes a hook with a scoop.

In addition, it contains HMO, probiotics, and DHA, which are naturally found as constituents of breast milk.

It is specifically and specially made for babies from ages 0 to 12 months with ingredients directly extracted from cow milk. 

Ingredients

 – Has 2FL HMO 

 – Iron

 – Probiotics

 – DHA

 – Maltodextrin and lactose

Pros

• Easy to digest
• Great flavor and taste
• Lactose is reduced
• Dissolves easily
• Great for babies who are lactose intolerant because the lactose gets reduced

Cons

• Customers find the scoop too wide
• Most customers have issues with the added maltodextrin.

5. Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Powder Formula

Earth’s best organic is designed to help babies from 0 to 12 months. It is an organic formula that is the same as breast milk with a USDA certification as organic and a certified Kosher to make a proper representation showing ingredients being used does not have fertilizer and pesticides.

This makes it natural and safe for breast milk. What’s more? It’s a fortified iron formula in that it aids in the formation of red blood cells.

Ingredients

 – Lutein

 – Lactose

 – Prebiotic

 – Omega-3 DHA and Omega 6 ARA

Pros

• It has no artificial sweeteners like corn syrup
• It is non-GMO and USDA certified organic

Cons

• It has a fishy smell
• It doesn’t dissolve easily and is very foamy
• Some babies may react differently

6. Happy Baby Organics Infant Formula

Happy is also certified organic by USDA and has non-GMO ingredients. It is just like breast milk containing galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides prebiotics, which help with digestion.

In addition, it is found in essential vitamins and minerals like folic acid, choline, calcium, vitamin C &D, and iron. It has ARA and Omega-3 DHA. 

Ingredients

 – Lactose

 – Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids

 – Essential vitamins and minerals

 – GOS and FOS prebiotics

Pros

• Hexane is not used to extract DHA
• No artificial sweeteners
• Dual prebiotics to help with digestion
• No artificial sweeteners

Cons

• It is foamy

7.  Baby’s Only Organic LactoRelief

This organic formula is for toddlers above 12 months, and it is a bit different from others. It has an advantage over other formulas in processing its ARA and DHA by using the controversial hexane. Its source is an organic egg which is natural and closest to breast milk. It is a lactose relief for babies and toddlers who appear lactose intolerant.

Ingredients

 – Choline 

 – DHA and ARA

Pros

• For babies who don’t easily digest milk proteins
• Nice flavor and sweet
• For lactose intolerant babies

Cons

• Has fewer significant nutrient

8.  Enfamil PREMIUM Newborn Non-GMO Infant Formula 

This is the second formula of the Enfamil brand, designed for infants between 0 to 3 months of age. It is safe and gentle, just like breast milk. Enfamil contains inositol, and it is nutritionally rich. It is just as special as Similac OptiGro.

It is a triple health guard blend consisting of 39 nutrients for growth, Omega-3 DHA, and GOS prebiotics. 

Ingredients

 – Omega-3 DHA

 – Inositol

 – Prebiotics

Pros

• It does not foam and dissolves easily
• Great pricing
• Specially designed for infants to digest easily

Cons

• Some babies may be found to have a different reaction to some ingredients.

9.  Enfamil Enspire Baby Formula

Enfamil Enspire is like breast milk and is thus formulated from cow milk with all its ingredients to be non-GMO. Available in powder form, 20.5-ounce tub. For babies that are from 0 to 12 months.

Ingredients

 – Choline and Omega 3 DHA

 – Lactose

 – Lactoferrin

 – MFGM

 – GOS and PDX prebiotic

Pros

• Mixes well
• No artificial sweeteners

Cons

• Expensive
• Not good for lactose intolerant babies

10. Gerber Good Start SoothePro

It is an easy-to-digest formula, and it readily dissolves. Helps reduce excessive tummy gas because of its smooth dissolution. It contains comfort proteins, and in addition, it contains probiotics, HMO and DHA. For babies between 0 to 12 months.

Ingredients

 – Probiotics

 – DHA

 – Lactose and Maltodextrin

 – 2FL HMO

Pros

• Easy to digest
• Dissolves easily
• Great for lactose intolerant babies
• Great flavor and taste
• Non-GMO
• Great container design

Cons

• Issues might arise from customers because of the use of maltodextrin.

 

What formula tastes closest to breastmilk?

When trying to choose the formula that tastes closest to breast milk, you should select Enfamil Enspire. This is because it is enriched with similar ingredients to breast milk, unlike other formulas.

What formula do hospitals use?

In hospitals, not just any formula is being used aside from Similac. It is the No. 1 baby formula brand, mostly hand-picked by hospitals as the most used. So most hospitals use Similac to get you started, and that would appear to be your formula from day one.

Is breast milk sweeter than formula?

Yes! It has a natural sweetener in it, and this is because it contains lactose (milk sugar) which is usually present in large quantities hence the sweetness. The lactose present is usually of a high concentration making breast milk have a sweeter flavor than formula.

Can babies taste the difference between breastmilk and formula?

Breast milk is a flavor of what the mom has consumed hence the taste, unlike formulas with a consistent taste.

Therefore, the taste of breast milk varies from the formula, and it is a thing for some babies to notice and later on become a little picky about the tastes, while some babies would be ready to drink just anything.

Are breastfed babies more clingy to mom?

Not necessarily all breastfeeding babies turn clingy even though psychologically, they become attached to their moms’ touch due to breastfeeding. Still, it is a myth to believe that breastfed babies are more clingy to their moms. 

Conclusion

Getting the best tasting formula is one of the best things you can do for your baby transitioning to bottle feeding and for you as a person. This article contains a list of the best tasting formula for breastfed babies, and by following the guidelines in this article, you will be able to offer the best for your baby.